Women See Colors Better

fenimor writes "The results of the study by researchers at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, suggests that natural genetic selection has provided women with a frequent ability to better discriminate between colors than men. 'Normally, this degree of genetic variation is suppressed through natural selection,' says Brian Verrelli, a researcher at ASU. 'In this case, nature is supporting a high degree of variation instead.' Because women have two X chromosomes, women can receive one chromosome with the typical configuration of the red vision gene while the other chromosome receives a slight variation. By contrast, men have one X chromosome, and any variation in the single red gene that they receive reduces their ability to distinguish between red and green."

not really news

[Tomahawk]

This isn't really news - it's well known that women have better eyesight, and are less prone to colour blindness than men, all due to that X-Chromosome.

There was a story last year sometime (couldn't fine it, and was trying to find the article on Google - I'll try again and post a listing) where it claimed that someone women had an extra-sensitive sight for colours - especially shades of blue. Again, all due to them have 2 X-Chromosomes. One lady in the article was able to pick out a pair of shoes that were a perfect match for a dress she had purchased months back and was in her wardrobe since then.

Interesting stuff, but not really all that newsworthy, methinks.

T.

Re:not really news

[GoRK]

Actually, it's a sensitivity to red. Apparently some women (termed tetrachromats) have an extra cone along down the red way allowing them to make more distinction when there are red hues in a color. The article was in Wired if you want to narrow your search.

Isn't this very old news?

[Bluesman]

I'm color blind, and I've always heard color blindness is passed genetically and occurs in men, predominantly.

My grandfather had that problem too, so I guess my mother passed it to me.

Re:Personal theory

[smurf975]

This is also what I thought as dogs are color blind and they are normally hunters. Seeing in black and white makes you see contrast better.

As I understand some of the big cats (lions, panthers, tigers) only see in shades of green. Which is basically the same as being color blind, however the shades of green work out better at night (moonlight) time.

The only species that need to see color are ones that eat fruit, to see if its ripe or not.